Russell D. Wydeen, 79

December 11, 2001

Russell D. Wydeen, 79, of Wheeling, a retired chemical engineer, died Saturday, Dec. 8, in Long Grove Manor. Born in Bergenfield, N.J., Mr. Wydeen was raised in Minneapolis and received a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Minnesota in Crookston. After graduation, Mr. Wydeen served four years as a lieutenant junior grade in the Navy during World War II. He was stationed in the Pacific as an engineer aboard a rocket launcher ship. Mr. Wydeen returned to Minneapolis and worked as a chemical engineer before moving to the Chicago area in the mid-1960s to accept a position at DeSoto Inc., a manufacturer of household cleaning products in Des Plaines. As a chemical engineer, Mr. Wydeen was involved in developing industrial paint. A former resident of Palatine, Mr. Wydeen retired in 1985. He was a Civil War enthusiast who enjoyed visiting battlegrounds. "He had a very methodical mind and he would study each battle," said his wife of 50 years, Lovella. Other survivors include a daughter, Laurie Hess; two sons, Russell and James; a sister, Jean Mortenson; and four grandchildren. A memorial visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, when a service will begin in Glueckert Funeral Home Ltd., 1520 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights.